Bengaluru School Students Raise Over ₹15 Lakh for Critically Ill Children Through Make-A-Wish Campaign

Bengaluru — Pupils at Canadian International School have mobilised over ₹15 lakhs through a fortnight-long crowdfunding initiative benefiting Make-A-Wish India, with the funds directed toward fulfilling the wishes of more than 150 children battling critical illnesses across India.

The two-week drive placed students at the forefront of fundraising efforts, tasking them with designing campaigns, producing promotional materials, and engaging potential donors through direct outreach via calls and messages. The organisation Make-A-Wish India focuses on realising the aspirations of children with life-threatening conditions, offering experiences intended to boost their morale during treatment and recovery.

The contributions gathered by the school's students will facilitate wish experiences for over 150 children, ranging from encounters with their heroes to long-awaited personal desires.

For the young fundraisers involved, the campaign proved instructive in cultivating compassion alongside practical skills. Navika, a Grade 7 student who participated in similar efforts the previous year, remarked on her motivation: "I had participated in crowdfunding last year and felt very grateful and proud to make a difference, so I decided to do it again." Her Grade 7 collaborator Avani shared her perspective on the impact: "I felt amazing realising how many people I helped and what an impact I made. I learnt to always be kind and help those in need."

Andrew Nicholson, Principal of Canadian International School, highlighted the deeper significance of the initiative. "The crowdfunding process is indirect initially, but it does fire up the emotional sympathy of students. Once they immerse themselves and actively campaign, the process tends to create a stronger empathy mindset. This is important. We are proud of our CIS student crowdfunders for considering those less fortunate, for engaging others in the issue, and for creating the opportunity for recipient children to feel more positive, and perhaps even joy," he stated.

The campaign underscores an emerging commitment to student-led social engagement at the institution, where charitable values extend beyond classroom instruction into tangible community action. The school has expressed appreciation to all families and supporters whose contributions enabled the campaign's success.